Cycle News

FIRST RIDE P70 2013 HONDA CBR500R/CB500F >>The CBF500 differs from the CBR in appearance and riding position, but everything else on the two bikes is identical. get more experienced and want to go faster/harder, they'll be looking for more stopping power. Giving them the option to have it without changing bikes or fork would have been good. The only real difference between the new models, apart from the R-model's bodywork which adds an extra couple of pounds in producing a 429-pound curb weight (with ABS, 425 pounds without) is the riding position. The CB500F gets a one-piece handlebar that's mounted 49mm higher than the clip-ons of the CBR500R, resulting in a more upright stance that's not only more comfortable, but also gives better leverage when hustling through a series of tight turns. The downside that the otherwise effective and vibration-free mirrors that on the R-model give good rearwards vision, are actually mounted too close together on the F-bike in spite of its handlebar being 40mm wider – thus there's an impaired rearwards view in which your shoulders figure largely. Strange, that – it's usually the other way round. Sadly, our 60-mile stint on the CB500F coincided with a prolonged wintry cloudburst, underlining the fact that the goodlooking headlamp module gives precious little weather protection compared to the reasonable amount from the CBR500R's full fairing and broader screen (a taller option is also available). Maybe that's one reason that Honda expects this and the forthcoming Xmodel adventure bike to grab the largest sales slice. But they may be wrong there: the $500 cost difference isn't to be sneezed at, plus the CB500F looks pretty cool in terms of urban chic – designer Kiyoshi Katagiri has given it plenty of character, if not quite the same wild-child looks as a Gerald Kiska KTM Duke. But this is a Honda, and that means something – actually, it stands for a great deal in a depressed marketplace, where customers will be looking harder for fundamental quality of manufacture and the implied reliability of anything with that name on the tank, as well as the all-important fun factor. Either way - fully faired or naked - Honda's new CBR500R and CBF500 appear to have what's needed to hit the mark in attracting returnees and newcomers of all ages to riding motorcycles. Indeed, it'd be entirely appropriate if the company decided to market the CB500 trio of models via a reprise of their legendary "You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda" ad campaign of the 1960s, because these bikes are aimed at exactly the same target customer as 50 years ago. And they're also aimed at both sexes, thanks to the carefully calculated 30.9-inch seat height of both bikes - comfortable for riders of all stature. Nobody wants an entry-level motorcycle that looks and performs like one, and neither of these two Hondas do. If this doesn't work in bringing people (back) to bikes, nothing will. CN

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